The subject that we are addressing together this morning is so broad that I think we would need an entire day in order to really understand all the issues in each of your respective areas. I must tell you that I would really like to be able to take the time to look with each of you at what you do, and how you do it. I would like you to provide us with detailed explanations. We are getting an overview, and everything is basically being mixed together. But we will try to figure it all out .
The National Advisory Council on Aging tabled a report approximately six to eight months ago in which it seems to say that it does not quite agree with you. You are painting us a bit of a bright picture. Of course, the situation of seniors has improved. They themselves agree. This does not mean that, over the next few years, there will be a major improvement. Yes, young women are studying and working. However, will the Canada Pension Plan be able to meet the needs of non-contributors? This is where the picture gets gloomy. I only want to present a it to you like that.
Furthermore, you have read the report. It highlights a number of gaps with the Guaranteed Income Supplement. First, have these gaps been corrected, particularly with regard to finding seniors who are entitled to the Guaranteed Income Supplement? You and your predecessors had not contacted people who were entitled to the GIS. Are you doing this systematically now, as requested?
Second, with regard to women working for family businesses, the National Advisory Council on Aging said that job insecurity had a significant impact on retirement income. Naturally, that is obvious. This is true for self-employed workers and part-time workers. I want to point out that perhaps 40 per cent of women work for a family business. These women contribute to employment insurance, but they are not entitled to benefits. This is quite curious. So, if I am mistaken, I would like to know where.
Also, if they are not entitled, what do you intend to do? What can we do, we women, to ensure that women are entitled to EI when they work for their husband's company.
Third, the government's withdrawal from healthcare has meant that we have caregivers who currently are entitled to approximately six weeks of EI, if I understand correctly. However, what can you do with six weeks of EI? You cannot tell a cancer patient that they can only be sick for six weeks. Cancer patients may be sick for one year, for two years. So, what are we doing in those cases? Have you taken any steps to help people who are caught in this situation?
Thank you, Madam Chair.